The Let Your Light Shine Jevon Link Society co-founder Louann Link thanks the players on the White Caps for participating in the fourth annual Jevon Link Memorial mixed softball tournament in Barrington on the July 4 weekend. KATHY JOHNSONArticle contentFrom the ball field to the golf course, support continues this summer for the Let Your Light Shine Jevon Link Society and its goal for more mental health supports to be available in the community.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle content“I couldn’t ask to be in a better community with all the people who have supported the Jevon Link Society,” says society co-founder Louann Link, of Clark’s Harbour.Article contentArticle contentThe Let Your Light Shine Jevon Link Society was founded by Link and her husband David in 2022 in honour of their 27-year-old son Jevon who died by suicide on Aug. 1, 2021, during a mental health crisis.Article contentArticle contentSince then, the society has become a guiding light in the community, training facilitators and educating people through workshops and programs such as safeTALK and ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) throughout southwestern Nova Scotia.Article content“We want to break the stigma,” says Link. “You shouldn’t feel ashamed. If you have a heart attack you don’t feel ashamed. You shouldn’t feel ashamed if you have mental health issues, and people who have an addiction quite often are suicidal too. That all plays in together.”Article content The Doubles N Dabs were this year’s champions in the annual Jevon Link Memorial mixed softball tournament in Barrington on the July 4 weekend. Front row, from left, are Kelley Nickerson, Britany Stoddard, Samantha O’Grady, and Lindsay Mackenzie. Second row, Nathan Rouzes, Brian Nickerson, Troy Dolliver, Cody Dolliver, Colby Corporon, and Tyler Pothier. KATHY JOHNSONArticle contentSafeTALK is a half-day workshop that equips people to be more alert to someone thinking of suicide and better able to connect them with further help.Article contentASIST is a two-day interactive workshop in suicide first aid, teaching participants to recognize when someone may have thoughts of suicide and to work with them to create a plan that will support their immediate safety.Article content“We’ve been bringing in resources. I want people to have the safeTALK course so they can recognize the signs of suicide. A 10-minute conversation can be that turning point, get them through the hard spot, get them through to tomorrow,” says Link. “We need to try harder. We need to listen harder so we don’t lose someone to suicide. There are two to four suicides every week in Nova Scotia. In Canada, three a day. Nova Scotia has a high rate of suicide.”Article contentArticle contentLink has facilitated safeTALK workshops at various places throughout Shelburne and Yarmouth counties over the past few years.Article content Doubles N Dabs teammates, from left, Brian Nickerson, Samantha O’Grady, and Britany Stoddard admire the championship trophy for the annual Jevon Link Memorial mixed softball tournament. KATHY JOHNSONArticle contentIn June, local ASIST instructors Mary Dawn Greenwood and Nakita Davis did a training session in Yarmouth for Aidaen’s Place Youth Support Hub staff, and volunteers with the Jocelyn Stewart Foundation and ground search and rescue.Article contentIt was the fourth time the duo has delivered the workshop in the past two years, says Greenwood, adding a fifth one is in the planning stages for the fall.Article contentGreenwood believes the Jevon Link Society is having a huge impact in the community and says it has become a widely known resource for people needing help.Article content“Reducing the stigma, being available to help people who are in need as well as families. People needing medication, in an urgent crisis situation, the support (Louann) does, I feel like a lot of people have been impacted,” Greenwood says.Article contentThe Let Your Light Shine Jevon Link Society hosts three major fundraisers in July. On July 1, more than 70 runners took part in the 5 km fun run in Clark’s Harbour in support of the society.
We want to break the stigma: Mission continues for Let Your Light Shine Jevon Link Society
